Meet Jieru Tang | Motion Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jieru Tang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jieru, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My name is Tang Jieru, and I am an illustrator and motion designer from China. I am currently pursuing dual master’s degrees—an MFA in Motion Media Design and an MA in Illustration—at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). My passion for art began in childhood, driven by a natural sensitivity to and love for drawing. According to my mother, when I was three years old, I covered our home’s walls with illustrations. Recognizing my talent, she enrolled me in art classes to learn the basics, marking the start of my artistic journey.

From a young age, I aspired to become an illustrator, so I continuously practiced drawing and experimented with various mediums, from traditional to digital. Along the way, I achieved numerous accomplishments, winning several awards in competitions. When it came time to choose a major in college, I opted for industrial design, as I saw it as a challenging field. However, after four years of studying industrial design, I realized that I wasn’t particularly interested in service design. This led me to the United States to study illustration.

Both illustration and motion media design fall under the umbrella of communication design. After studying at SCAD for some time, I discovered a passion for illustrative motion. Seeing my illustrations come to life fills me with excitement, and I believe that combining these two fields can lead to even more interesting work. This realization motivated me to pursue a dual degree in Motion Media Design.

During my time at SCAD, I have actively explored various mediums and worked diligently on my projects, earning awards in several international competitions (e.g., Society of Illustrators, Applied Art, 3×3 Illustration Competition). This summer, I successfully secured a design internship. I am deeply passionate about both fields and will continue to explore them further.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am an Illustrator & Motion Designer, which allows me to work across both fields. In illustration, I excel at using delicate lines and diverse textures to create my images. My illustrations often feature animals, plants, and abstract forms, and I have a deep love for traditional Chinese culture. As a result, many elements of Chinese culture are woven into my work. Friends have told me that the brushstrokes and textures in my illustrations remind them of the murals in Dunhuang, blending a rich Chinese aesthetic with the influence of Western art—a combination that fills me with pride.

In Motion Design, I focus on developing both Illustrative Design and 3D Motion Design. My project, “Cartoon Network Rebrand,” won an award in Applied Art, and I am continually exploring how to better integrate 2D and 3D techniques to express art more effectively.

The journey to where I am today hasn’t been smooth. In high school, I initially wanted to pursue an art entrance exam, but my family didn’t support the idea, believing that academic scores were more important than a career in art. So, I dedicated myself to my studies and was accepted into the Industrial Design program at Beijing University of Technology with excellent grades. I was excited, thinking my dream was coming true, but I soon realized that I wasn’t suited for design or solving service design-related problems. My creative strengths lay more in communication design, which led me to switch majors and pursue studies in illustration and motion media design.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friends visit Atlanta, I would definitely take them to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the zoo, and Ponce City Market. To me, these places not only showcase Atlanta’s natural beauty and urban charm but also reflect the city’s rich cultural and artistic atmosphere. The Botanical Garden’s lush vegetation and exquisite landscaping allow visitors to experience the harmony of nature, while the zoo’s diverse collection of rare animals inspires respect and curiosity for life.

Ponce City Market blends modern design with historic architecture, making it a perfect fusion of urban scenery and cultural vibrancy. Here, you can admire unique art installations and design works while soaking in Atlanta’s dynamic artistic energy. I believe these places would give my friends a deep appreciation of Atlanta’s unique allure in a short time, offering both the serenity of nature and the excitement of modern city life. Standing on the observation deck on the second floor, you can take in panoramic views of Atlanta, whether at sunset or nighttime. The scenery is breathtaking and sure to spark your creative inspiration.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am deeply grateful to my two professors, Professor Phivi and Professor Christina, for their significant contributions to my artistic development and education. Professor Phivi, my illustration professor, has been instrumental in helping me explore my own design direction. She has provided me with endless encouragement and valuable learning resources, making me feel supported in a nurturing environment where I can continuously grow and improve.

Professor Christina, an exceptionally experienced educator, introduced me to the field of motion design. She helped me understand the essence of Motion Media Design and meticulously guided me in refining my portfolio. Her suggestions were incredibly helpful, and under her guidance, my animations became much smoother, and my projects more cohesive.

Beyond their academic support, they also engaged with me in discussions about my future career path, offering invaluable advice. I am truly thankful for their guidance and the impact they have had on both my studies and professional development.

Website: https://www.jierutang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jieru_art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jieru-tang-790a73256/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TangJieru